Improvement in hoop-skirts



@einen faire gstrnt @Hita WILLIAM E. neueren oE BIRMINGHAM, CONNECTICUT, IIs-SIGNOR To .HIM- SELE, GECECEUBBELL, AND J. E LATTIN, CE .sA-ME PLACE.

I Let-ters Patent No. 64,870, dated May 21, 1867.

IMPROVEMENT IN HOOP-SKIRTS.

@Hp dgtml tratta tu in tigen ttttcts ttnrt ma mating grat nf tigt same.

TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCllItNzI Be it known that I, WILLIAM E. HOUSTON, of Birmingham, in theeounty of New Haven, and State of Connecticut, have invented a new Improvement in Hoop-Shirts; and I do hereby declare the following, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, and the letters of reference marked thereon, to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, and which said drawings constitute part of`tl`is specification, and represent, in i Figure I, a front view of' a portion of the skirt.

Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, detached views.

This invention relates to an improvement in hoop-skirts; and consists, first, in the manner of securing the hoops to the tape; second, in the manner of forming the tab and unit-ing the hoops thereto.

In order to the better understanding of my invention, as well as to enable others to construct the same, I will proceed to a description thereof,`as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The hoops are formed from the ordinary covered steel wire cut to the proper lengtlnthcir two ends united by a clasp, seen enlarged in tig..7, and when soelasped, the clasp is placed between dies or other device which corrugate the two sides of the clasp upon the wire, the corrugations being diagonal and at reverse angles upon the two sides, as denoted by red and blue lines, fig. 7. These corrugations impress into the covering ot the wir'e and securely hold the two ends together. f i

This invention is fully set forth inan application for patent 'therefor which I have {iledin even date herewith.

The tape B, seen in iig. 2, is formed with pockets C upon each side, and through the centra-between the two'pockets a space, D, is left in which one set of the 'filling threads passes without interveaving in the warps, but the tape is solid'back of said spaces. This is alsofully set forth in an application for patent therefor which I have filed in even date herewith. The hoop is passed through the pockets in the usual manner, passing between the filling threads and the tapeghat is, leaving the lling threads in front of the hoop. Then over thesei filling threads and the hoop a clasp is placed, securing the tape by the filling thread to the hoop. This is seen in fig. 3, wliere the hoop is denoted in heavy black, the tape itself in red warp and blue filling, the filling threads D in black, and the clasp d as surrounding the hoop. By this security thehoop cannot-be moved through the pockets, and the labor of spangling as now practised for securing the hoop to the tapeis entirely avoided, and these clasps are easilyl attached while the skirt is on the form. i

To form the tab-I weave the tape, as seen in rig. 5, with a longitudinal pocket upon one edge, combined with transverse pocketsointo which the hoops are inserted, as fully set forth in an application for patent which I have tiled in even date herewith.' Into the pocket I insert a cord, braid, or similar material, (or-attach a cord to the ends of the tape, as seen in g. 6, preferring always the pocket, as it affords the best security and iinisln) then pass the hoops through the transverse pocket, as seen in iig. 1, and clasp or otherwise secure the end vof the hoop in the cord. The best plan of securing the hoopte the cord is by a clasp, seen in perspective, iig. 4, one end being formed so as toibe closed upon the hoop, the other so ast-o be closed'upon the cord. A very good security, however, is produced by attaching to the end of the hoop a clasp with an eye by which it may be stitched to the cord, A

By thus forming the. tab the expense of the kid now used, and the consequent expensive attachment are dispensed with, and' the whole skirt is finished complete by a single hand before it is removed from the form, the tapes being attached to the band F in any convenient or known manner..

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and useful, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. Securing the hoops to the tape by a clasp or other device, enclosing the tape upon the vhoop Vwithout extending through the tape, substantiallyas herein set forth.

.2. The combination of the cord, band, or other material, inserted in or attached t0 the tape with'the hoops. l

when the hoops are attached thereto, substantially as specified WM. :E, HOUSTON.

Witnesses JOHN' H. SHUMWAY,

A. J. TIBBITS. 

